
AMERICAN 
CRIPTIVE AND 

OUGHTFUL 

VERSE 




That so when J have gone I may not question 
If all my wanderings had been spent in vain 

But from a grateful heart had given to others 
The quiet spirit of the Past again 



By MARGARET COPE 



AMERICAN 
DESCRIPTIVE 



AND 



THOUGHTFUL 
VERSE 

BY 
MARGARET COPE 




Shine out, tiny light from my candle, 
Shine out for the traveler to see; 

Shine into the depths of the roadside, 
There's a light in the window for thee! 

Philadelphia 
THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 

1922 



Copyright , 1922 , £_y 
Margaret Cope 



APR -6 23 

IC1A704003 



50 



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©ebttatton 



TO MY KIND HOSTESSES, AND 

ALL WHOM I HAVE LOVED THIS 

WIDE WORLD OVER. 



gfatljor's: preface 

As in my first book, I take no particular 
responsibility for these verses, written since 
19 14, which I now collect to keep from being 
lost, largely for my own satisfaction. 

They seemed to come to me with hardly 
any effort of my own. The subject matter 
of the "Descriptive" verse was before my 
eyes, the verses written from time to time 
on little journeys or visits in Amercia, 
or at my own home at Awbury. "He 
that hath eyes to see, let him see." The 
"Thoughtful" verse seemed to be given to 
me out of a clear sky — so that now I pass 
them on to others, feeling neither special 
pride nor responsibility, only hoping that 
there may be a few of the passing or future 
generation who will be old-fashioned enough 
to enjoy them, as I have in receiving them. 
As Wordsworth says; 

"Think not amid this mighty sum 
Of things forever speaking 
That nothing of itself will come, 
But we must still be seeking." 

M. C, 1922. 



Contents 

DESCRIPTIVE VERSE page 

To the Red-bird 13 

To the Robin 14 

To the White-throated Sparrow . 14 

To the Meadow Lark 15 

The Wood Thrush 16 

The W 7 ren 17 

The Red- winged Blackbird .... 18 

To the Song Sparrow 19 

The Double Nature 19 

Early Morning Walk in Virginia . 20 

A Country Beauty 21 

A Dark-eyed Favorite ■ . 22 

A Wind on the Bleaching Green. . 23 

The Evening Primrose 23 

The Poppy 24 

Away and Away 24 

Old Comrades 26 

Compensations 27 

The Front Seat of the Old-time 

Trolley Car 28 

First Day Morning at Westtown . 29 

An Indian Summer Day Dream . . 30 

Tell-tale Leaves 31 

Song for the Four-way Lodge . . 32 

Wind in the Pine Trees ...... 33 

The Breaking of Winter 34 

"We Beseech Thee to Hear Us, Good 

Lord" 35 

The Susquehanna River 36 

The Missionary Sewing Bee ... 37 

"Swallowfield" 38 

"Meadow Farm" 39 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

An Evening Walk ,.,,»>». 39 

A Morning Walk ,. . . . 40 

Among the Pines 41 

"The Wind Bloweth as It Listeth" 42 

Answer to the "Spirit Land" ... 42 

"The Old, Old Story" 43 

Waiting \ . . 44 

Between the Lights 45 

The Old Homestead in the Berkshire 

Hills 45 

A Tribute 46 

Clearer Vision 46 

The Fairy Haunt 47 

Aspirations . 49 

F. C. H 50 

To M. H. E 52 

To a Dear Friend 52 

Winter Sunshine 53 

Upper Conanicut in Winter. ... 54 

Baffled 55 

A Winter's Mirror 5$ 

A Winter's Walk 56 

The Call of the Tide 57 

To the West Wind 58 

A Vignette 59 

Nature's Lesson 59 

Emblem of Perpetual Youth .... 60 

My Psalm 61 

Autumn Leaves 61 

Our Future Citizens 62 

A Picture of Old-time Courtesy. . 64 

The Awakening of Spring 65 

The Sleeping Beauty — Spring . . . 66 

10 



CONTENTS 

THOUGHTFUL VERSE page 

Christmas Eve — Contrasts 68 

The Spirit of Christmas ..... 69 

The Trail of the War 70 

The Gulph Mill — Contrasts ..... 71 

Black and White 72 

Market Street 73 

Personal Salvation; or, The Buried 

Talent 74 

"Can Ye not Watch with Me One 

Hour?" 75 

Our National Good Friday in 191 7 75 

The Hope of Nations 76 

An Echo from France — Two Sonnets 77 

Back to the Land 78 

"Go Work in My Vineyard*' ... 79 
"Your Gold and Your Silver Is 

Cankered" 81 

"Be Still and Know that I Am God" 81 

Thanksgiving 82 

Loneliness in Convalescence ... 83 

I Am the Resurrection and the Life 84 

Given Back! . 85 

Evening Bells 85 

On Aunt A's Ninety-third Birthday 86 

In Memoriam — A. C 87 

For E.'s Birthday 87 

"Ye Are of More Value than Many 

Sparrows" 88 

Treasured Memories 89 

The Echo of the Thanksgiving Bells 90 

Dropped Stitches 91 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Sailed! 92 

Toll no Bell for Me 93 

Dreams and Fancies 94 

To Our Old Collie, "Klim" .... 95 

To Old "Klim" 96 

A Tribute 97 

In Memoriam — to Scott 97 

In Memoriam — to F. C. H 99 

To a Friend in Great Sorrow . . 100 

A Child's Hand 100 

Ernesta 101 

The Lost Lamb 101 

A Roguish Playfellow 103 

Repose 104 

Dreamland 104 

The Healing Power of Music . . . 105 

The Lord's Prayer 106 

"Behold, God Is in This Place, and 

I Knew It Not" 107 

Into the Vast Unknown 109 

" Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters " 1 10 

The Harvest in 

"The Greatest of These Is Charity" 112 
"Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect 
Peace Whose Mind Is Stayed on 

Thee" 113 

''Peace — Be Still" 114 

A Prayer for Old Age 115 

"And with No Language but a Cry" 116 



12 



Descriptive $erge 

Whither away? 
Whither away? 
Red-bird, thou earliest of comers? 
What dost thou say 
With thy plumage so gay 
As in the heat of the summers? 
" Come, come — sweet chuck — 
Here — h ere — Good — Luck ! 
Here-^-he-er — he-er ! " 

As like a flame 

Thou dartest again, 

Down from the tree-top to meet her, 

What dost thou sing 

Still on the wing 

W T ith fondest message 

To greet her? 

" Come, come — sweet chuck — 

Here — here— Good Luck! 

He-er— He-er— He-er !" 

Ah, thou art heard 
True hearted bird, 

Heard by thy friend of past summers, 
Saddened at heart 
When we saw thee depart, 
Now gladdened again by thy numbers — 
"Come! Come! Sweet Chuck! 
Look! Look! Good Luck! 
Spring's here! He-er! He-er! 
Awbury 
March 24^ igij. 



13 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Gta tfje &abw 

Robin, we welcome thee back to the lawn, 

Some days have saddened been 

Whilst thou wert gone, 

But now with braver hearts 

Hear we thy song — 
"Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up!' 



P 






When the sun shines upon thy ruddy breast — 

Our robin good fellow 

In tawny vest — 

Thou seemest almost 

For some festival drest — 
"Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up!" 

When for thy daily bread thou gettest a worm, 
Sure of its coming back 
On thy return — 
We then with firmer faith 
Thy lesson learn — 
"Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up! Cheer up!" 

Awbury 
ApriU 1914 

Gfo tttt Wfnte-tfjroateb g>parroto 

White-throated sparrow, I hear thee again; 
I see thee flitting o'er woodland and plain, 
While from thy little throat comes the refrain: 
I am come, come, come! 

. 14 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 



# 



Where hast thou been through the long 
winter days, 
Off on some sunny shore, far from our 
ways? 
While still thy little heart poured forth its 
lays: 
I'm from home, home, home! 

How didst thou know when the time had 
come round 
When for thy Northern home thou must 
be bound, 
And for thy little mate one must be found? 
I must roam, roam, roam! 

When from some distant land I have re- 
turned 
And for some gone before my heart has 
yearned 
Thy voice still greeted me, though the tears 
burned — 
Welcome home, home, home! 

Awbury 
April, 1 91 4 

(Eo tfje itteaboto Hark 

Hunting all day till the sun goes down, 
Hunting for meadow larks speckled and 
brown. 

15 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 



Hark! there we hear one and hail it with glee: 
"Dear children — can't see me!" 



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Up on the hillside, and down in the glen, 
Far from the haunts and the houses of men, 

Into the orchard — ah, where can they be? 
"Dear children — can't see me!" 

Off we go to the meadow so green, 

But not a meadow lark there can be seen — 

While listen again ! — far over the lea — 
"Dear children — can't see me!" 

"Meadow lark, why do you mock at us so? 

We little children just wanted to know 
Where your nest was hid" — but it answered 
in glee — 
"Dear children — can't — see — me!" 
Awbury 
April, 1914 



Wood thrush! My earliest memory 
Turns back to thee in ecstasy 

As I recall the woodlands free 
Where as a child I used to be — 
"God's up in heaven." 

fe*- 




16 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

And now that I am older grown 

And miss the dear ones of my home, 

Am tempted oft afar to roam 
To softer climes, or fairer zone. 

Deep from the woodland's soft embrace, 

Or solitude of leafy place 
Comes thy rich voice 

Our doubts to chase — 
"God's still in heav'n — His love is given. 3 



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®fte H®Jren 

Little mate, let's choose our home 

Near the friends we made last summer. 

Here it is! Why don't you come? 
Will this really do, I wonder? 

Clean it out, and sing your song — 

"I'm busy, busy, busy all day long!" 

Little mate, our children dear 

'Mid the honeysuckle branches, 
Here may chirp without a fear, 

Safely housed, and never anxious! 
Build your nest, — and sing your song — 
"I'm happy, happy, happy all day long." 

Awbury 
l 9 l 9 



17 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Wht Eeb-totttBefc i@Iatbbtrti 

Swamp blackbirds are whistling 

Afar from the brush 
* Oh, cock — a — tchu — e — e — */" 

"Why do you come stealing 
Around by the bush? 

"You cannot see me — el" 
"I sing as I flutter 

Thanksgiving to utter, 
For Springtime I see, 

But why follow after 
To fill me with laughter? 

Oh ! Cock — a — tchu — e — e — el ' ' 

"With flame on my wing 

I fly as I sing — 
Oh — Cock — a — tchu — e — e — e ! 

But if you should follow 
O'er woodland or hollow 

You cannot catch me — el 
Despite all your trouble 

I dart and I double, 
Then light on a tree; 

So why follow after 
To fill me with laughter? 

Oh ! Cock — a — tchu — e — e — el ' * 
Bryrstane, Conanicut 
March, 1920 



18 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Co ti)t ibong g>pancta 

Thou dear song sparrow, best beloved of all 

That comest with the earliest Springtime's 

call, 

We give thee welcome glad, for thou hast been 

A traveler far to Southern lands unseen, — 

Then welcome home! 

Couldst thou there find a sweeter home than 
this? 
Where gentle waves the pebbly shore do 
kiss, 
And brier and alder's tangled boughs do meet 
To weave with warp and woof a safe 
retreat 

To raise thy brood? 

Pour out thy lay, and let us hear thy song 

To cheer our hearts after the winter long, 
And choose thy mate, and build thy little 
nest 
Among the tangled grape beneath the hill 
top's crest, 
For happiest is the heart that loves the best, 
Thou little bird. 

Bryrstane, Conanicut Island 
March. 1920 

Wiit 2Sou6le Mature 

Cat-bird! It is a shame to call thee so, 
Yet tell me why thou callest "me-ow, 
me-ow"? 



19 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Go, fly away, thou canst not cheat us more 
The same old cat-bird that we knew of 
yore; 
Yet come again, and pour thy warbling note 
With all the changes of a quavering flute, 
Now high, now low, now changing with de- 
light, 
Till twilight fades into the hush of night; 
Yet when thou wakest thou'lt forget thy vow 
And say as morning breakest, "me-ow, 
me-ow"! 

Awbury 
1920 

Carl? JHotntus Haife in ""SXtrgmia 

In the woodlands, in the sheltered hollows, 
Little buds are thrusting forth their leaves, 

Folded safely in their winter wrappings, 
In the downy nests within their sheathes. 

Bursting forth with gladness in the morning, 
Stretching out their hands to meet the sun, 

Spreading out like fans to catch the breezes 
In the joy of their fresh life begun. 

In the woodlands, in the silent places, 
As the sun comes up above the hill, 

Hark! the birds are at their matins singing, 
Call and whistle, coo, and chirp and trill. 

Cries of wild birds in the beeches o'er me, 
Coos of doves among the lofty pines 



20 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Ringing notes of wood thrush in the hollows 
Lift up my heart too in praise divine. 

To his mate the red-bird whistles, calling — 
" Come, come, come; why don't you come, 
my dear? 
Chuck, chuck, chuck, — the Spring has come, 
my darling. 
Chuck, chuck, chuck! it's here — here, 
he-er!" 

Taps the woodpecker on the old tree trunk — 
"Flicker, flicker, flicker, — hear my cry!" 

Moans the dove afar among the tree tops 
"Answer love, and unto thee I fly." 

Caws the crow as he flaps idly over, 

Chirp the many little birds below — 
Then the silence settles once more round me 
'Midst the beech-trunks, as I homeward go. 
On the Potomac 
March, igiy 

3 Country JSeautp 

"Bouncing Bet" by the roadside, 

Always happy and bright, 
Cheering the weary traveler 

Though in a foot sore plight- 
Happy, hearty " Bouncing Bet." 

Roguish hoyden, I love thee 
Drest in thy white and pink, 



21 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Though clouds hover above thee 

Ne'er do thy spirits sink, 
Laughing, chaffing " Bouncing Bet. " 

Emblem of kindly blitheness, 

Joyous lover of fun, 
Fresh in thy rosy whiteness 

Gaily tripping along — 
Tripping, skipping "Bouncing Bet." 
On the Delaware River 
July 23, 1916 

& 3Barfe=epeb Jfabortte 

"Black-eyed Susan/' slim and tall, 

Fairest of summer's daughters, 
Standing idling by the wall 

Or dreaming by the waters, 
With thy dark eyes gleaming bright 

And thy hair so golden, 
Thou art someone's dear delight 

In his arms enfolden. 

Is the goldenrod thy mate, 

Or the purple aster? 
Sure I am thou'lt meet thy fate, 

Nor chance on disaster. 
Slim and graceful, lithe and free, 

Standing there sedately, 
Flowers will die for love of thee — 

All must seek to mate thee. 

July, 1916 

22 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

& Jlfflinb on tfje pleating fetttrt 

"Queen Anne's Lace" on field and fallow, 
"Queen Anne's Lace" on hill and dale, 

Scattering all thy feathery snow-flakes 
Thou wouldst e'en the daisy pale. 

Tangled in a maze of fern-fronds, 
Drifting down beside the brook, 

Sure I am it would annoy her, 
Good Queen Anne, if she did look. 

See her laces are all blowing 

Over all the country-side, 
She can never, never catch them 

Though she search all summer-tide, 
August, iqi6 

W$t €bemng fJrimrose 

Pale, modest flower opening thy yellow cup 

After the sun is down, 
Is it that thou waitest thy evening tryst 

Standing alone? 

The bees have fled, the butterflies are gone, 

The birds asleep — 
Is it the dew thou waitest for alone, 

Thy tryst to keep. 

August^ 1916 



23 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Thou fairy flower, 
Opening thy dainty cup 

To greet the sun, 
Why must thou fall 
And die before 

The day is done? 

Canst thou not stand 

The rude blasts of this world 

That buffet thee, 
Almost before thy petals 
Are unfurled, 

Setting thee free? 

"Born but to die!" 

Ah, skeptic heart, far no! 

Away thy creed ! 
From out the heart 
From whence the petals blow — 
A thousand seed. 

Awbury 
August, 1916 

gtoap anb gtoap 

The misty morn 

Of the fogs born 
Fills me with rare delight 

While on we speed, 

Nor pause to heed 
If days be dark or bright. 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

The fields and dells 

And hillside swells 
A harmony complete. 

With springing corn, 

And flowers new born, 
And tumbled heaps of wheat. 

And streams that roam 

-Flecked with white foam, 

Among the meadows sweet, 

In sunshine fair, 

Or shadow there 
In shady wood's retreat. 

And cedars tall 

Beside the wall, 
Or fence rows tumbling down, 

And clover bloom 

With sweet perfume, 
And wheat all golden brown. 

Or mossy grass 

As on we pass, 
With cattle by the brink 

Of shady brook, 

In wooded nook, 
Stooping to take a drink. 

And on we go 
W T here breezes blow, 
And fling care to the wind, 

*5 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Though incomplete 

Our hearts retreat 
To those we leave behind. 

Trolley ride to the 
Water Gap 
July 23, 1916 

0lh Comrabe* 

By the old Canal in the hillsides 
Our hearts have leisure to think, 

As we sit and dream by the wayside, 
Close by the river's brink. 

Sit and wonder and ponder 

Over the days that are gone, 
The lock and the bridge over yonder, 

The boatman singing his song 

As he stands by his steady tiller 
As the boat moves down the canal; 

And the river forever flows with her 
Constant to his old pal. 

True to his life-time's helpmeet — 

The old Canal by his side — 
Placid as when in the olden times 

He took her first as his bride. 

Deep and thoughtful and tranquil, 

Taking the days as they go, 
Reflecting the blue of the sky above, 

And the tow path's flowers as they blow. 

26 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

And there they talk over together 
The days that are past and gone, 

In rainy or sunshiny weather — 
And oft by the light of the moon 

Talk and whisper and wonder 

At the restless life of the day, 
That with its great wheels drags under 
Our thoughts — at work or at play. 

On the Delaware River 
July 24, 1916 

Compensations 

Oh, rain that blottest out my view 
And drawest the clouds together, 

Thou stealest from me all the blue 
And checkest sunshiny weather. 

Yet shall the mountains look more soft, 
The trees and fern fronds glisten, 

The clouds float gently up aloft, 
Thy drops a new earth christen. 

And softly as the rain drops sound 
The birds are singing through it, 

As they, too, had a new earth found, 
Ah, it were sin to rue it. 

The little brooks are babbling loud 
That earst were still and quiet, 

The river runs majestic, proud, 
The swimmers vainly try it. 



27 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

The fruit is ripening on the trees, 
Without a thought of malice; 

The flowers await the humming bee 
With raindrops in their chalice. 

For He who knoweth what each needs 

Still draws the clouds together, 
And daily all His creatures feeds, 
In dark and sunny weather. 

Delaware Water Gap 
July 25, ip/6 



{£&e Jfront ^>eat of tfje #lb-itme 
©rollep Car 

Flying along in the open 

Swiftly flying along— 
Though not a word may be spoken 

Our hearts are singing their song 

Swiftly flying along. 

On through the fields and the hedges, 
On through the corn and the grain, 

Flowers by the open road's edges: — 
Who in the town would remain 
That could be flying along? 

Cattle abrowse in the pastures, 

Reapers abroad in the fields, 
Meadow-rue, golden rod, asters, 

Wheat sheaves, the fair summer's yield — 

As we go flying along, 

28 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Folds of the blue misty mountains 

As to the hill tops we rise, 
Down to the gush of the fountains, 

Brooks that no summer e'er dried — 

As we go skimming along. 

Sumac, and creeper and grape vine, 

Clematis, yarrow and mint; 
Hark! where the brook bursts in laughter] 

Drink in the air without stint 

As we go flying along. 

Wood-robins down in the hollow 

Pouring their hearts out in song, 
Sparrows and blue birds and swallows 
Flying, as we fly along — 
Swiftly flying along. 

Return from 
Delaware Water Gap 
July 26) ip/6 

jfix&t 3iap JWoramg at iHesttoixm 

Flickers are calling 'mid the orchard boughs 
In apple-blossom time, far ofT and near, 

And meadow larks are singing in the grass 
Their praises soft and clear. 

The April sun shines down through dewy 
mists 
On budding woodland slopes and meadow 
grass, 



29 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And in the quiet not a worldly thought 
Our souls harass. 

The coo of wood doves in the tree- tops high 
Steals o'er our hearts with thoughts of peace, 

In firmer faith, that where our God is nigh 
His reign shall never cease. 

April 24, 191 5 

&n Snbian Summer ©ap ©ream 

(Drive from Haverford to Westtowri) 

The glorious autumn morn 
Of the white mist new born — 
By the sun's beams, half shorn 
Of brighter rays — 
Sheds light on woods and dells 
And tawny grassy fells, 
As through the lanes we go — 
My horse and I. 

'Midst trees of brightest hue, 
Still dripping with the dew, 
With hills of softest blue 
Seen through the gaps — 
We wander up and down 
Among the hillsides brown — 
Far from the noisy town — 
My horse and I. 

Shocked corn in stubble field, 
The fruitful summer's yield, 
Lying in heaps which gild 



30 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

With golden glow, 
And tracts of emerald wheat, 
The harmony repeat — 
As still we travel on — 
My horse and I. 

And tranquil is the scene, 
No cares disturb my dream, 
Under the hazy gleam 
Of Autumn skies. — 
With grateful looks of love 
Unto my God above, 
I smile,, as on we rove 
My horse and I. 

October i8> igi 5 

^ell-tale Heabe* 

Russet and red and orange, 
Amber and green and gold 

See how the leaves of the forest 
Tell o'er the tale oft told — 

How that the summer is dying 
Now, as ever of old. 

See how the leaves come floating 
Down through the autumn air, 

Even the still lake coating 
With carpet so soft and fair, 

Like to some Persian carpet 
Knelt on in silent prayer. 

And little flames seem leaping 
Out of the rippling lake, 

31 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

See! when the breeze comes sweeping 

Making the water quake, 
Sunbeams down through the branches 

Flaming reflections make. 

Russet, scarlet and orange, 

Amber and yellow and gold, 
Falling and floating and flashing — 

Now 'ere the days grow cold, 
Thank God who gives us these colors 
Now, as ever of old. 

Westtown 
October 20 y 1915 

&0XIQ for t&e "Jfour-toap Ho&ge" 

Oarsman rest! thy journey o'er, 

Sleep the sleep of honest labor, 
Sleep — but prithee do not snore 

Lest thou shouldst disturb thy neighbor. 
Here no telephone will call, 

Here no drop in stocks alarm thee, — 
Soundly sleep — for in the fall 

No mosquitoes e'en can harm thee. 

Oarsman wake! thy slumbers o'er, 

Say not with a snore, "Confound it!" 
Go and promptly tend the fire 

For thy friends to gather round it. 
See the eggs still in the shell, 

See the milk in cans still waiting! 
Thy companions on the shore — 

Hungry sure — will not be late in. 



.32 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Go and put the griddle on, 
See in tins the bacon lying — 

Up and at it! Without doubt — 
It should now be gently frying! 

Brothers, what's from breakfast left! 

For in searching through the larder 
After appetities like this — 

Not a single "Egg" doth "Harbor"! 
Ah! that name suggests the deed, 

To the "River", now, this morning! 
Launch canoes, and rod in hand, 

Soon we'll satisfy our longing. 

Oarsman dream! the sunset fades — 

On the banks canoes are lying, 
In the pine branches above 

Autumn winds are softly sighing: 
Dream of oak leaves falling bright, 

Where, 'mid grasses all a-quiver, 
The new moon will shed her light 

O'er the reaches of the River. 

Hark! Thy merry comrades call — 
"Come up now — for supper's ready!" 

Shout an answer — "Sure we will" — 
Steady, boys — now steady — steady! 

Autumn, igij 

Mirdx in tfyt $me Wxtt* 

Art come from far away 
Crooning thy plaintive lay? 
What is it thou wouldst say 



33 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Oh, soughing wind? 
Above me in the pine 
Beneath which I recline 
Bringest thou some thought divine? 

What wouldst thou say? 

Art thou a spirit rare 
Floating upon the air? 
Telling of worlds more fair 

Than this below? 
Art sent from God above 
To tell us all is love? 
That he our hearts might prove 

As on we go? 

Whispering that He is here, 
And we have naught to fear 
If we can carry cheer 

Within our breast. 
Above us in the pines 
His sun o'er all still shines — 
His voice is in the winds, 

And here we rest. 

"Four-way Lodge" lt 
after E. N. S.'s death 

W$t JlreaJuns of WLinttv 

Alone with God in Nature! 
Alone with God in Nature! 

Alone all day! 
Hearing the blackbirds calling, 
Listening the waters falling, 

34 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Music my heart enthralling, 
As on I stray, 

Alone with heart at leisure, 
Alone seeking true pleasure 
Finding the hidden treasure 

Where stillness reigns. 
Listening the full streams purling, 
Knowing leaf-buds unfurling 
Watching the soft mists curling 

Up from the hills and plains. 

Thrilled with the old earth's beauty, 
Filled with a sense of duty — 
Never more to dispute — He — 

The Maker, Creator, Lord; 
Joying in His creation, 
Trusting in His salvation, 
Filled with the exultation 

That sight and soul afford. 

Going to Maryland 
January , 1917 

"He Peaeecfj Wfat to ffitzt ®te, 
<©oob Hot*" 

Thy Kingdom come with Glory, 
Thy Kingdom come with peace, 

Telling the old, old story 
Of souls and lives release. 

Thy Kingdom come with beauty, 
Thy Kingdom come with strength, 



3S 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And teach mankind the duty 
Of brotherhood at length. 

Thy Kingdom come with gladness, 
Thy Kingdom come with might, 

Driving away our sadness, 
Filling us with delight. 

Thy Kingdom come with powSr, 

And make the nations one, 
And from that very hour 
Thy will on earth be done. 

Maryland 
January , 1917 



Wfjt g>u*quefjaima &iber 

River murmuring by my side 
Hurrying ever toward the tide, 
Canst thou nowhere still abide 
Ever onward bound? 

From thy springs among the hills 
Little babbling woodland rills 
Leap to join thee, with heart thrills, 
River rushing down. 

And thy branches leaning o'er, 
And thy rocks from shore to shore, 
Listen to thy constant roar, 
River rushing down. 

36 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Listen to thee day and night, 
As the moon all silvery white 
Gleams across in shimmering light, 
River rushing down. 

And thou flowest away — away — 
Till the night has kissed the day 
In the dawn on Chesapeake Bay 
Floating ever down. 

Till a breeze comes from the sea 
Whispering softly, "Come tome!" 
And thou never more art free 
River flowing down! 

Wedded to the oceans love 
Sun and moon and stars above 
Draw your tides in ebb and flood 
In perpetual round. 

Maryland 
February , 1917 

Wbt Mis&itmatp Vetoing J3ee 

"When there is no vision^ the people perish.' 

Mrs. B. G. Smith gave a party. 

She said 'twas " for a Missionary," 
But we all ate so hearty 

I think that idea visionary. 

I'm glad the "dear departed" 

Couldn't see us eating, 
For surely she'd feel slighted 

And think that "vision" fleeting. 



37 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Such chicken, peas and taties 

You never saw the like on, 

For fourteen Christian ladies! 

I hope none was a glutton! 

"Red Gate" Maryland 
February <?, igij 



"gtoaUotoftW 

See the swallow flitting 

At the eventide, 
Skimming over pasture fields 

In their circles wide. 

Hear their young ones twittering 

In the chimney tops 
Of the dear old homestead 

'Mid its ripening crops. 

With its springhouse cool, 

And its orchards fair, 
And its river hills — 

Where the summer air 
Bloweth softly over 

As the twilight falls, 
And the swallows circle 

And the river calls. 

May the children's children 
Of sweet " Swallowfield", 

Love the dear old homestead 
And their hearts ne'er yield 

38 




AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

To the pressure that would hold them 

Near the city's roar — 
Hark! the twittering of the swallows 
In the chimneys as of yore! 
Maryland 
September 5, 1922 

"Jfleaboto jfarm" 

A home of ancient peace 
Beneath its walnuts' shade 

Where hospitality has reigned 
And little children played. 

A home of Christian faith — 
Beloved by young and old, 

With treasured memories of the past 
And blessings manifold. 

Long may its roof-tree stand, 

And shelter those who come 
Who find a peace amongst its hills, 
Beneath its shade a home. 
Maryland 
September 5, 1922 

&n Cbemttg Walk 

The little sandy lane 
Winds far into the pines 

Along the wooded ridge, 
With slopes of tawny grass 

And russet oak 
On either edge. 

39 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Away — Away — 

The distance stretches on 
Between the pines. 

Purples, and blues, and crimsons, 
Fading down 

The soft declines. 

Above, the lady-moon 

Rides in an amber sky 
So clear and far — 

And sinking with her too, 
In twilight blue, 
The Evening Star. 

Highland Pines, N. C. 
January , 191 6 

a JHormug Malk 

The crisp air wooes us down the sandy lane 

Among the tawny grass, 
And winds among the pine trees all day long 

Are sighing as they pass. 

Look! 'twixt the tree trunks gnarled and old 

The dreamy distance lies, 
In softest modulation fold on fold, 

Like blue of azure skies. 

While at our feet the feathery crystals shine 
Up from the gravelly path, 

Like milk weed seed vessels borne on the 
wind, 

Captured and held at last. 



40 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

The stillness and the harmony complete 

The picture fair, 
With thoughts that in a world so sweet 
God must be there. 

Highland Pines, N. C. 
January, 191 6 

gmcmg tfje $ine£ 

Wandering, wandering 

Over stubbly grass — 
Wandering, wandering 

Loitering as I pass, 
Resting on a pine trunk, 

Drinking in the air, 
Looking to the westward, 

Feeling God is there. 

Wandering, wandering, 

Listening to the wind 
Soughing in the pine trees 

Tell of things divine; 
Listening for God's voice 

Stealing from the blue, 
Telling of our lost ones, 

How they love us true. 

W ? andering, wandering 

In the sunshine fair, 
In among the pine trees 

With their bracing air, 
Feeling never lonely 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

In the solitude — 
Overcome with gladness 
That our God is good. 

Highland Pines, N. C. 
January ', 1916 

"tE&e limb ^lotoetft a* 3t JLinttW 

Thou hearest the sound thereof, 

But canst not tell 

From whence it comes, 

Or where it goeth forth — 

That spirit far above thee in the air — 

From out the south or north — 

It leads thee on — 

To realms unseen so fair — 

Whispering in blowing as it lists 

That God is there: 

Thou hearest the sound thereof. 

After Johnnie* s death 
Highland Pines , N. C. 
January, 1916 

gnstoer to tfje "£>pitit Hanb" 

Yes, we are around you still 

As in days gone before, 
Raise your eyes then from off the ground, 

Let your tears fall no more; 
We wait near to aid you, 

Share your thoughts as of yore, 
We long to help you onward — 

And love you as before. 

Highland Pines, N. C. 
January, 1916 

42 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

"Ufa <Blb, <®lb motp" 

In Colonial Times 

Old Cedar trees, what tales have ye to tell 

Standing beside the road; 
More than a century has passed since ye 

Sprang from the sod. 

Can ye recall the scarlet-coated men, 

The pride of Britain's war, 
Before our swarthy country yeomanry 

Drove them from off our shore ? 

The times when people traveled from afar 

Upon their pacing steeds, 
By lanes and by-ways to the market town, 

Or through the flowery meads. 

Look where they come upon his palfrey 
brown-— 

The man and maid — 
She riding with her lover joyously, 

Happy and unafraid. 

Her arms clasped tightly round his loyal 
heart, 

His hand holding her's there, 
Turning upon his saddle to gaze down 

Into her face so fair: 

Her sunbonnet has carelessly slipped back, 

Her golden hair unbound, 
Say! did ye see that kiss upon her lips 

As the horse wandered on? 



43 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Old cedar trees, such scenes ye must have seen 

Growing by this old road, 
The centuries have passed over your heads, 
since ye 
Sprang from the sod. 

Old Road in New Jersey 
back of Cape May 
August, 1916 



The marshy grasses stretch from wood to 
shore 

In softest hue, 
And little pools and waterways, listening 
the ocean's roar 
Reflect the blue. 

"When will it come — the tide to take us 
home?" 

They whispering say. 
"We are aweary waiting all alone 
Through the long day." 

At eve, as the sun sets, and the moon comes 

O'er sandy bars — 
A thrill — a throb — a flood — and out they 
float, 

Under the stars. 

Wildwood Crest 
August ip y 1916 



44 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Jiettoeett tfje Htgfjte 

Through marshy meadow grass, the little 
water ways 

Wander at will, 
Helping in placid ease the mighty task 

Of ocean's depths to fill. 

In the declining rays of the descending sun, 

The waters gleam, 
And the far distant woods beyond the marsh 

Are hazy as a dream. 

Far in the eastern sky the harvest moon 

Rises from ocean hoar — 
While hark! amid the silence of the scene 
The breakers roar. 

Wildwood Crest 
August^ IQIO 

Zf)t ©lb ^omestfeab in tfje 

The little water spout still sings its babbling 
song 

Year after year, 
The brave old lonely spirit has passed on, 
But still the babbling water sings its song 

For those who list to hear. 

Yet one of finer, braver mould has come 

To fill the place, 
And make the spot a peaceful tranquil home 



45 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 



Where flowers bloom and murmuring bees do 
come, 
And art and song shed grace. 

Long may the little house below the hill 

Fulfill its mission sweet, 
And flowers tempt the humming bees to 

come, 
And 'neath the apple-blossoms bloom, 
Or ripening fruit low drooping down, — 
Amid sweet mint — the babbling tune 
Of the little rill, like some old rune — 

Go on — and on — and on — ! 

August 26, 1920 

& tribute 

A home where all is neat 
And clean and sweet, 
A mistress whose kind ways 
Even in cold and cloudy days 
Sheds sunshine, 
And the weary traveler cheers. 
Woodburne 
June, ip/S 

Clearer ^teton 

Thy beauteous world we ask Thee for more 
power 

To see, O Lord! 
The shadow and the sunshine lavishly 

Flecking the sward. 

46 






AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Each blade of grass casting its shadow down 

Low at Thy feet; 
Each little spear looking up trustingly, 

Thy Love to greet. 

The wayside flowers in tangled maze 

Beside the road, 
O'er which we cast such careless gaze 

Thoughtless of God; 
The drifting clouds, floating above us all, 

Borne by the breeze 
O'er hill and dale, their shadows cast 

Over the trees. 

Open our eyes, dear Lord, to see Thy work 

While here we live; 
Before the shadows close us in 

Thy vision give. 
Blind, blind of eye, and dull of heart, 

O Lord, are we, 
Could we but see, and feel, we needs must 
praise 
Unceasingly, 

Walk at Woodburne 
July 5, 1916 



W§t jfairp Haunt 

The beeches stretch their leafy arms 

About the place, 
And gleaming branches dark with lichens 

Interlace. 



47 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Daisies and columbine as sentinels stand 

Beside the door, 
And light and shade an emerald carpet weave 

Upon the floor. 

'Mid diamonds set in silver gossamer, 

The spiders work, 
They step inside the woodland faery house 

Where shadows lurk; 
There on the smooth grey stones of tilting 
rock 

They sit them down — 
Two little sunburnt girls with arms entwined, 

Rosy and brown. 

There heart to heart and soul to soul 

They dreaming see 
The elfin fairy throne of branches made 

Right cunningly; 
The fire of tiny logs, v/ell placed 

In order trim, 
To roast a snail, a gnat, a fly, perhaps 

Butterflies wing. 

Beyond, the crumbling wall and tower of 
stone 

A bastion make, 
Whereon they climb, letting their fancy roam 

In beauty's wake. 
Dear little maids! treasure your childhood's 
days 



4 8 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

And fancy free — 
For you the fairies build their bowers 
Right willingly. 

For E. C. S. and T. M. C. 

Woodburne 

July, igi6 

gfepiratumg 

{After the death of a loved cousin) 
Open my spirit's eyes, dear Lord, 

That they may see and feel 
The spirits of "the just made perfect", 

Gone from this world, more real. 

Take from my heart the loneliness 

That drives my spirit down, 
Give me a sense of friendliness, 

With all the spirits round. 

Let me but hear their voices 
Borne on Thy breezes round; 

Close to my ears earth's noises, 
Shut them from worldly sound. 

Fill me with Nature's beauty 

As a rich gift from Thee; 
Sow in my heart the purity 

That grows toward Eternity. 

Let me but be a vessel 

Empty for Thee to fill, 
Give me Thy thoughts of holiness 

Sent down by them until — 



49 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

The REAL world is the Spirit World, 

The dear ones round me still, 
The thoughts I have, reflected thoughts, 

Or echoes far from heaven's vaults, 
Of those, who from my childhood taught 
Me to endure Thv will 

Woodburne 
June y 1918 

$. €♦ & 

" The face of Death is toward the Sun of Life, 
Its shadow darkens ours." — Tennyson. 

When the props are gone 

From the dear old home 
And we miss the greetings we love, 

May we look the more 

Toward the Heavenly shore — 
And list for the greetings above. 

May we braver grow, 

Though our hearts beat low 
As we look on the vacant chair, 

May we gentler be, 

When we think that he 
Has gone to a Country, where 

All the deeds are "love", 

All the clouds which drove 
Through his life have melted away, 

As the beams that shine 

From that Face divine 
Have touched them with golden ray, 



50 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

And we feel that he, 

Could he only see, 
Might be smiling in pleasure down, 

With the radiancy 

Of a heart set free, 
To journey — without a bourne. 

Or the placid ease 

Of a heart well pleased 
To be nothing — for strength to come, 

With a rare delight 

For some service bright — 
For Him who has taken him Home. 

So we braver grow, 

Though our hearts beat low 
As we gaze on the vacant chair, 

W 7 ith a throb of pain 

We take heart again 
For we know he is happy there. 

And what we call Death, 
When it bursts its sheath, 
Is only new life begun — 
We the shadow see, 
But the soul set free 
Glows in the Light of the Sun. 

Woodburne 
June, 1918 



5i 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

®o 0L 1$. €. 

Dear heart, whose boat 

'Most reached the "other shore", 
I send my greeting kind 

While more and more 
The props that thou hast leant on 

Fall away — 
And cares and burdens 

On thy shoulders stay 
Till thou art weary 

With perplexity. 

Take heart, and journey on — 

The road is long — 
But faithful care is at thy side, 

Be strong, 
Courageous, patient, 

And the joyous song 
Of little children round thy knees 

'Ere long 
Grown to maturity 

Shall bless maternity. 

Woodburne 
June, 1918 

tKo a ©eat Jfrtenb 

That dear home at "Bryrstane!" 
What makes it seem so dear? 

The cordial hospitality, 

Welcoming from far and near. 

'Tis not the Bay or Moorlands 



52 






AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

That memory holds most dear, 
But the cozy, peaceful homestead, 

The culture and the cheer. 

Conanicut Island 
May, 1920 



Winter ^un^tne 

{Conanicut) 

Come out and give God thanks, 
Leave, leave your books, 

The sun is shining on His world so fair; 
Come out and give it welcome, e'en your 
looks 

Repay Him for His beauty lavished there. 

Come out and sing God's praise 
E'en stones can preach; 

The meadow lark still sings in winter cold, 
The little waves are lisping on the beach, 

The ocean blue is chanting as of old. 

Come out His breezes blow 
O'er land and sea, 

O'er this brown isle encircled by the blue, 
Come out and take His blessings full and free, 
Scattered on sea and shore — for me — and 
you. 

" Bryrstane" 
January, 1915 



S3 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

38pper Cotmnfatt in Winter 

The mist drives on o'er hillocks brown 
Of tufted grass, 
While, the old sea changing from blue to 
gray. 
Runs up in little waves, and all around 
The hills and shores with fog are crowned, 
As the clouds pass. 

The salt air comes from off the bay 
In freshening gale, 
And waves beat on upon the pebbly shore; 
While tufts of seaweed strew the sands so 

gray, 
And gulls flap over on their seaward way 
With an "All hail!" 

The little lanes run down to meet the sea, 
'Twixt hedgerows amber brown, 
Of tangled growth of brier, and vine and 
rose; 
And farm houses and windmills o'er the lea, 
With haystacks near, and here and there a 
tree; 
And stone walls tumbling down. 

And marshy grasses stretch from bay to bay 
Betwixt the coves, 
With colors soft and bright amid the sand, 
All ruddy brown and golden gray: — 
The sky looks down from far away 
On sights she loves. 

January , 191$ 

54 






AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

JSaffleb 

Thou mighty Sea! which slow and steadily, 
Gathering thy force for one great plunge, 
Risest in majesty, hurling thy might 
Against the giant cliffs in one grand dash of 

spray, ^ 
Then sinking — falls in pools and eddying 
swirls, 

Into the depths below 

Sucked down — 

Moaning the while; 
Thundering along the shore we see thee pass 

Lipping the rocks; 
As if with pain in vain their height to gain 

With booming shocks: 
Then, falling back — once more, 

Into thy yawning depths 

Sucked down — 

Baffled again. 

Conankut Island 
January, 1915 

a Wiinttv'x jfffltrror 

Little pool among the trees, 
Sheltered safe from vagrant breeze, 
With thy grasses ruddy brown against thy 
blue, 
Wrapt in slumber, thou wast hid 
By thy hazel copse's shade, 
Now thou openest thine eyes and lookest 
through. 



55 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And thy scarlet rose-hips lean 

O'er thy mirror's glassy sheen, 
And the little birds flit noiseless to and fro, 

And at the sunset, when the sun 

Has his daily errands run, 
Is reflected in the winter's after glow. 

And at eve the crescent moon 
Following her lord, the sun, 
Peeps a farewell as she sinks into the west, 
And the little birds are still, 
With fluffed feathers — warm until 
Sunrise draws the twittering from their breast. 
Rhode Island 
November, 191 9 



g Wlinttt f & JSaifc 

The quails rose up and whirred across the 
down 

As on I walked adown the grassy lane, 
And gulls flapped idly on the marshy grass 

As on I came. 
And golden rod, its glory now all shed 

Stood tall on either hand, 
And brier-rose's scarlet berries bled, 

Reddening the land. 

The meadow lark despite the winter's cold 

Was singing still 
In the long grass beside the marshy pool, 

The little rill 

56 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Was dancing on, reflecting back the sun 

Through icy banks, 
Nature, though bud and flower and leaf were 
gone, 

Seemed giving thanks. 

Bay bushes with their berries misty blue, 
Huddling in clumps against the winter's 
cold r 
Half choked the little lane as I came through 

Across the wold. 
And little inlet pools reflecting back the sky 

Below lay tranquilly — 
One meadow lark, the harbinger of spring, 
Sang joyously. 

Conanicut Island 
December, 1919 

W$t Call of tbt ®ibe 

Little silent water-ways stealing through the 
marsh, 

Waiting till the tide comes in, 
Listening to the sea gulls with their music 
harsh, 

Calling, flapping, floating, diving in; 
Are ye very weary waiting since the moon 

Drew the waters onward to the Bay? 
Listen! there is music on the pebbly shore, 

Little waves are coming back to play! 

Calling, " Come out, brothers, from your snug 
retreat, 



57 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Listen to the tales we have to tell 
Of sea-maidens floating while our pulses beat, 

Fair as lilies, calling, * All is well!* 
See us diving, floating with our golden hair 

Lying on the crested waves so green 
Till they break in foam flakes" — 

"Little water-ways come and join us 

In our sports again." 

Conanicut Island 
December, 1919 



Co tfte Wlt£t Mint* 

Blow from our eyes the scales of prejudice, 

Oh, fresh West wind across the downs; 
Chase from our hearts the seeds of bitterness 

That have been sown; 
Scatter the clouds that hover over us, 

And let us see 
The mantle of true blue that still doth cover 
us 

In perfect purity. 

Plant in our hearts the joy of usefulness 

As on we go, 
Inspire our hearts with deeds of fruitfulness 

Under the snow, 
That when spring smiles again, and sap up- 
riseth, 

Though still and mute, 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

We yet through wintry gales may too have 
deepened 
Within the root, 

Conanicut 
After the War 
December ■, 1919 



,. & Vignette 

The misty shores stretched out on either side 

Above the little inlets parted ways. 
And brier and bay bush colored all the land 

On those December days, 
And marshy grasses, turning ruddy gold, 

Gilded the gray — 
While one big sail beyond the horizon's down 

Told of the Bay. 

Conanicut Island 
December ■, 1919 



iBtature'g ILtsttm 

The fresh wind touched my face, and brushed 
away 

All thought of care and fear, 
And every twig stood out in bold relief 

Against the sky so clear. 
And nature in her winter garb lay still 

And all at peace, 
Awaiting through long months of chill 

The spring's release. 



59 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And may not we like Nature too await 

The touch of spring? 
Can we not too a lesson fresh 

From Nature bring? 
And while the days with storm and conflict 
wrought 
Seem hovering near, 
In silence too, perfecting deed and thought 
Be of good cheer. 

Conanicut Island 
December \ fp/p 



@mbiem of perpetual j5outf) 

Ye slender birch trees with white arms out- 
stretched, 
Ye seem to clasp the sky in your embrace; 
Yet stripped and naked 'gainst the winter's 

cold, 
And shivering from blasts across the wold, 
Ye greet the sun or rain with smiling face. 

Bathing your feet within the marshy pool 
Where tawny grasses cluster round the 
marge, 
And scarlet berries peep with ruddy glow 
To see their bright reflection ere they go 
Wrinkled with time and russet grown with 
age 

Ye seem the emblem of the perpetual youth 
With your white purity and slender grace, 

60 






AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

The gnarled old oak trees, with their shelter- 
ing arms, 
Stand over you to shield you from alarms, 
The while ye still look up with trusting 
face. 

Rhode Island 
December, 1919 

With overwhelming thankfulness my heart is 
filled; 
For good unseen — and manifest, 
Blessings confessed — and unconfessed, 
Events redressed — and unredressed; 

As by Thee willed. 

My life, so rich with daily joys, is full and 
free; 
My home, the realm of ancient peace, 
Where children come and play at ease, 
A sacred trust, amidst its trees — 
Its future life, as mine, I please 
To leave with Thee. 

November, 1920 

Autumn ICeabe* 

Lingering ye stay, as loath to leave a world 
so beautiful, 

Though ye decay 

And pass away, 
Crumbling, ye bless the earth so bountiful; 

61 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Covering the flowers 
Through wintry hours 
To make the teaming earth more plentiful. 

Cheering my heart with beauty ere we part, 

Your cheeks aflame, 

Ye forest leaves, 
My spirit no more grieves 
When ye do fade and fall — as magical — 

Ye leave unseen 

A pledge of springtime's green, 
And we rejoice, for ye do come again. 

Emblems ye are, to those who know, of im- 
mortality: 
They do not die, 
Our loved ones, why 
Should sorrow shroud the mystery; 
They live again. 
Then why our pain? 
Like you, their spirits glow before they pass 
away. 

Rhode Island Woods 
November ', 1920 

0ut jfuture Ctttjeu* 

This morn my heart with joy was filled 

For color stretching wide, 
Sapphire and lapislazuli — opal — 

On every side 
The little bays came winding in 

'Mid grasses tawny brown, 

62 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Mingling their changing colors 

With the beauty of the down, 
Where Autumn still her ringer lay 

On many a scarlet bush, 
Fading or glowing — as the wind 

Swept by — or sank — in hush, 
When right before my pathway 

Three children seemed to play, 
Searching among the brush-wood— 

Shy as the partridge they — 
But answering my smile and speech 

With ready tongue ere while — 
"And do you come from Italy?" 

"Oh, no, from Portugal; 
We come here every day to look 

For golf balls 'mid the fern, 
Which we collect and sell again 

And so good money earn 
To buy our winter clothes, 

Look here! the sweater which I wear, 
The cap my little brother has — 

We bought them!" "Never fear, 
My little brown-eyed lad, 

But you will make an honest man 
If you to school will go 

And then make money as you can." 
He smiled in pride — his cheeks aglow — 

As homeward I returned 
With thoughts of the little brown-eyed lads 

Searching amid the fern. 

Conanicut Island 
November, 1920 



63 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

& ftittuxt of #to-ttme Courtegp 

The sunset gun had boomed, 

The rattling wain gone homeward from the 

field, 
The sun had dropped, the barn-door shut, 
And to the moon 
Did earth her beauty yield: 
The wind had died upon the Western Bay, 
All was at peace and rest, 
And softly in the fading sky 
Shone Venus, for the day 
Had sunk into the west. 

I stood and leaned against an old stone wall 

Watching the dying day, 

When down the little lane came trotting on 

A pony, driven by a bent old man — 

And "Do you go my way?" 

He said and stopped, "I go to fetch my 

' child 
Returning home from school." 
"The hour is late," I said, "and I am tired: 
Gladly I'll ride a mile." 

And on we drove, talking of simple things, 

The artist Richards, whom he knew of old; 

His only daughter, whom he held most dear, 

And took each day to school. 

"All winter long I took her back and forth, 

She never missed a day, 

The pony trotted over ice and snow 

Pulling our old-time sleigh." 

6 4 




AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

It was a picture of old simple life, 

Devotion — courtesy 

That oftentimes we miss these days of strife, 

Hurry and urgency: 

I thanked him as I got out near my home, 

Feeling how often we 

May fail to do a kindness, when we have 

The opportunity. 

Conanicut Island 
November^ 1920 

GRfje gtoafteuing rf Spring 

Tinges of color are over the wold, 

Oh ho! for the spring! 
Winter is flying away with its cold. 

Oh ho for the Spring! 
Snowdrifts are melting and runlets are free, 
Little birds chirping, "We're here, don't you 
see?" 

"Rejoice, rejoice in the Spring!" 

Meadow larks singing from soft marshy grass, 

"Come, mate — it is Spring!" 
Song sparrows warbling as onward I pass, 

"Rest here — it is Spring!" 
Sunshine is drawing the sap from the roots, 
Hark to the meadow larks playing their 
flutes — 

"Rejoice, rejoice in the Spring!" 

Breezes are blowing so soft from the south, 
"We're bringing the Spring!" 

6/ 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Nature is listening — with finger on mouth. 

Hush! can it be Spring? 
Speak not a word in the silence profound, 
While I am laying my ear to the ground, 
To list — to list — for the spring. 

Conankut Island 
March, IQ20 



W$t Sleeping ifeautp— £>pvm$ 

(Awakened by the South Wind) 

He came up from the south, that Prince of 
yore, 

And found her sleeping there, 
So still, so still he feared she must be dead, 
But that he saw the flutter of her breath 

That stirred her hair. 

Her white arms were flung out like snowdrifts 
pure 
Lying along the grass, 
Her eyes were closed, the lashes fringing 

them 
Stirred gently, all a-tremble 
As he passed. 

He stooped to look on her, his gentle breath 

Touching her face — 
Ah, wondrous was her form, so pure 
And white, so lithe, 

So full of grace. 

66 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

His lips touched hers, she opened star-like 
eyes 
And flushed all o'er — 
And winter's sleep was gone, and spring 

awaked by love 
Trembled with joy — and bird and leaf and 
flower 
Knew death no more. 

Conanicut Island 
March, 1920 



67 



e&ougfttfui mm 

Cfjrtetma* €be 

(Contrasts) 

(After watching the little children round the 
Christmas tree) 

Oh, stillness of this Christmas night! 
Behind the clouds the moon shines bright, 
Upon the earth the snow lies light — 
All hushed and still. 

Our little children lie in sleep 
While rosy dreams their fancies keep. 
Hush! can it be that some may weep 
Against God's will. 

Against God's will! but forced by men 
To toil all day 'mid dust and din, 
Their bread to earn. Ah, 'tis our sin, 
Our Nation's curse! 

For childhood's days should happy be, 
Blithesome and gay — forever free 
From care and sorrow. Oh, that we 
This labor might reverse. 

Oh, stillness of this Christmas night! 
Once on this eve a star shone bright, 
And for this world to give us light 
A little Child was born. 

Oh, light that dawned for all, can we 
The little half-fed children see 



68 



THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Toiling all day so wearily, 
Stunted and pale all drearily — 
Nor feel that it is wrong? 

Awbury 

December 24^ 191 4 



W$t §>pixit of Cfjriatmag 

Give and it shall be given unto you 

This Christmas-tide; 
Give work to those who beg, 
Give help to those who need, 
Our Saviour gave His life 
For these, and thee. 

Give and it shall be given unto you 

This Christmas-tide; 
Give rest to those too weary, 
Cheer those whose lives grow dreary; 
Our Saviour needs our aid 

For such as these. 

Give and it shall be given unto you 

Now and alway, 
The blessing of the poor 
Befriended at your door, 
The answering smile from those you greet 

Upon life's way! 

Give and it shall be given unto you 

Oh, brothers kind; 
Across the sea there comes 

69 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

From many a ruined home, 
A sound as of a moan — 
Borne on the wind. 

Give and it shall be given unto you! 

On Christmas Day 
Our Father gave His Son — 
A little child was born 
To save us from our sins 
For aye — and aye! 

Christmas, 19/4 



Wbt {Kratl of tfje Max 

Aye, weep with those who weep 

This Christmas-tide, 
The babe who wakes from sleep 
Because its mother hath no more to give 

Its life to keep. 

Aye, weep with those who weep; 

The maid whose lover 
Failed his tryst to keep — 
Deserting for the cruel tyrant, war — 
Beneath the sod, doth he now sleep? 

Aye, weep with those who weep; 

The widowed wife, 
Who tries her flock to keep 
Around her ruined, burning home, 
From brutal force, marching the street! 



70 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Aye, weep with those who weep; 

From house to house 
See where yon spectres creep! 
Disease and Famine, hand in hand 
Waiting upon their prey to leap — 
Aye, weep with those who weep 

This Christmas-tide. 

December, 191 4 



Qftje (Sulpl) Mill 

(Contrasts) 

The ceaseless noise and hum of the machinery, 

All day it rushes on — 
The babble of the brook that moves its wheels 

Over the stones — 
The men and boys who work there all the day 

In the close air — 
The breeze and freshness of the meadows 
sweet 

In sunshine fair. 

The tumult and the din that drown all thought 

In monotone — 
The song of birds, the stir of breeze, as 'neath 
the trees 

I lie alone. 
The dust and fuzz that choke the lungs 

And cloud the brain — 
The blue above the glorious clouds that float 
at ease 

O'er all the plain. 



7i 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And must some toil in weariness and pain all 
day- 
While others rest? 
To only some then must God's gifts be given, 

Some only blest? 
Ah, God! that we could lift men's heavy bur- 
dens 
That cramp the soul 
That we might share earth's joys and 
heaven's treasures, as on 
The Ages roll. 

Reflections on enjoying 
Nature in a valley close 
to a humming mill 
1917 



I saw a sight last night 

That brought the happy tears 
Into my eyes: 

'Twas in a crowded car: 
A lady young and fair with little girl, 
Made room for one of color dark, with little 

child 
And took the baby's hand in her's caressingly: 

The people stared — 
The tiny black hand, in that hand 
So slender, pure and white, 

It was a sight 
To make the angels smile to look upon. 



72 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Ah, Christ, that all might be 

Like her — like Thee — 
Then from all strife and war 
Would we be free. 

During the race riots 
in Philadelphia 
July, 1918 



iWarfeet Street 

The human tide drifts up and down the street, 

In joy or woe, 
Tis near the gladsome time of Easter week, 

And to and fro 
The people from afar the city seek — 

Oh, let me go 
To where amid the blue the sky lark soars, 

And pours his song 
Down o'er the slopes of golden gorse 

The hills among, 
Then downward, downward drops into its 

nest, 
Seeking in silence there its throbbing throat 
to rest. 

And yet the human misery where'er I go — 
The sightless eyes, the crippled forms of 
Market Street 
Will haunt me so 
That I must pray that all may be at last by 
Him 
Made whole and fair, 



73 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

In that far country where 
All shall be equal, 
And no eyes be dim. 

Easter week y 1921 

personal g>altoatton; or tfje SSurieb 
talent 

Hast come to take account, O Lord? 

Behold it! — it is Thine, 
My "Talent" in a napkin hid, 
I wrapt it close till I was bid 

To show its colors fine. 

"Red Tape" I used in many a fold 

To keep it safe for Thee, 
'Tis packed in ice, to keep it cold 

Against Eternity — 
And see the seal that I have placed, 

In self complacency, 
My own approval on its face — 

Until 'tis broke by Thee. 

Wilt break the seal that I have made? 

The "talent" hid is thine; 
I kept it close from all the world, 

No sun did on it shine, 
And no one knew what I had hid; 

It was all mine — and Thine. 

Tis surely time to break the seal, 
The years are passing on, 



74 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

The winding up of life I feel, 
My race is almost run 

What! is there nothing in the place? 

A withered kernel all I trace? 
The life all gone? — all gone? 
Awbury 
February zo y 1921 

' 'Can f9e not aHatcft toitfr 0lt 
0nt ?£our" 

Put to the test, will we deny Thee Lord? 

We who have pondered o'er Thy written 
word, 

We who rejoice to hear the angel's song 

Peace upon earth, and glory unto God; 

We who believe Thee nailed upon the cross 

For our eternal gain, and Thy temporal loss, 

We who have known Thee in temptation's 
power 

Can we not watch with Thee one little hour? 

Let us raise up our hearts in faith with one 
accord 

Put to the test — will we deny Thee, Lord? 
Written before we 
declared war 
March, 1917 

©ur Rational <©oob Jfrtbap 
in 1917 

Forgive us, Lord! 
We u Crucify afresh the Son of God 
And put Him to an open shame," 



75 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Clamoring for war, we have denied Thy word, 
Our country's heart aflame. 

Forget our thoughtless years, 
Forgive our faithless fears, 
Accept our bitter tears! 
We Thy forgiveness claim. 

Restore our nation's faith 
In Thy redeeming death, 
Bestow on us Thy grace! — 
We all assume the blame. 

On April 6> igij \ 
our Nation joined 
with the Allies in 
the cruel world war 
on Good Friday 



Elje 3&ope of Jetton* 

One sob! to represent the Eternal No 

That bars the way to butchery! 
One woman sole among her mates clamoring 

for war, 
Yet o'er her listening angels — sobbing too, 
And one deep voice proclaiming — 
"Joy! — well done." 

April 6, 1917, Jeanette 
Rankin y first woman 
Representative y alone voted 
"no" on the question of 
war 

76 






AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

8n €cf)o from Jframe 

(Two Sonnets) 
I. 
Just now I saw a strange and awful sight: 
The sun was sinking red behind the hill, 
And the air had settled clear and still 
From where the clouds, that threw them- 
selves in plight 
Of the sun's torture, frayed themselves with 

light 
And bent in pain at the day's ending. 

Their fill 
Of blood was ebbing in a scarlet rill 
Somewhere beyond today into tonight. 

A sound of chord out of the distance grew 
As played by mellow brass in never ending 
Monotony. An avion, I knew, 
Yet funereal. Against the sky were wending 
Silhouettes of troops, bristling in array, 
And going, as the sun, out of the day. 

II. 

A wind sprang up, and over rolled the clouds 
Grey and ponderous, moving faster and torn 
In fragments; covered the colour, and gone 
Their blood red fiery wraps in shrouds 
Of heaviness; the air grew damper and came 

heralds 
Of storm that blew the trees and grass, and 

long 
Grew the shadows and then died; and song 



77 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Of gusty, feverishly hasty wind, that 

ploughed 
Its petulant way through fields of moving 

grain, 
That bent the cornflowers, and closed the 

poppies, 
Was in my ears. Chill grew the wind, and 

rain 
Hung in the air, and clouds on clouds went 

past, 
And the bloody sun glanced through their 

rents askance, 
And guns boomed hungry in the distance. 
Anonymous 
Summer, 1917 

fBacfe to tf>e Hanb 

"I long to feed my children," 
Groans poor old Mother Earth. 

" I yearn to give abundance, 
And yet, alas! there's dearth. 

" For brother fights with brother 

In this benighted world, 
Each jealous of the other 

Into this conflict hurled. 

" Forgetful how their Father 

Has furnished food for all 
Through me, their fruitful mother; 

So heedless of His call — 

"Go back and reap my grain fields, 
Go back and till the land, 

78 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

See what my teeming earth yields, 
Go forth and lend a hand. 

"Give o'er this useless warfare 

And give the babies bread, 
Before they and their mothers, 

And fathers too, be dead. 

"Join in the world wide cordon 

Of brotherhood of man, 
* Peace and good-will' the guerdon, 

God's fellowship the plan. 

"Go back! Go back, my children 

Go back unto the land, 
There's food for all God's children 

Go back! and lend a hand." 

Summery igi8 

"<©o Work tit jfflp VitwpartT 

Stick to your post,my boys,stick to your post, 
Nor let no cringing fear impair your work! 
Stick to your post, my boys, stick to your 
post! 
Though scarce two miles away the foe may 
lurk 
The earth must still be plowed to plant the 
grain, 
The little homes made snug for refugees; 
Stick to your posts, my boys, nor count the 
cost, 
Nor seek the peace that comes with careless 
ease. 



79 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Flee for your lives, my boys! flee for your 
lives! 
The cruel shells are falling as ye flee, 
The roar of war and tumult rends the skies, 
And you must work in other fields than 
these. 
The little homes you labored to rebuild 

Are crumbling once again before the blast, 
The peasants fleeing lest they should be killed 
Are crowding with you as you westward 
pass. 

Stick to your work, my boys, stick to your 
work! 
Though disappointment tempt you to de- 
spond, 
The grain must grow in other fields in France, 
The little homes made new in lands beyond. 
Take up your burden then, and on! 
With vision clear that doubt and failure 
scorns, 
Till in the darkest hour before the dawn 
Your know the victory of the "Crown of 

Thorns." 
{Written after the first German drive when 
our boys of the "Friends' Reconstruction Unit" 
were forced to flee from Gruny and elsewhere 
and abandon the work they had given a year's 
labor to — but helping the poor peasants as they 
fled — wheeling their household goods, etc., in 
barrows for fifteen miles to a place of safety — 
Montdidier — where they could take the train.) 
April 24, 191 9 

80 









AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

"|9our <©olb anb §9aur g>tl&er 
3te Caufeereb" 

Alas for the men who stayed at home 

And snatched at the chance of gold, 
With their sealed homes, and their limousines, 

And luxuries manifold. 
Who risked no life for a brother's need, 

Nor heeded his starving moan, 
But spent their force on destruction's greed, 

And fed but the cannon's moan. 

They have reaped with their gold a harvest 
of hate 
From men who have restive grown, 
For the people are waking — though it be late, 
And the war-profiteer is awaiting his fate, 
And will they list to his moan? 

October, igig 

"Pe mill anb Siuoto iljat 3 
0m (gob" 

W 7 hen work seems endless, 

And your arms lack strength, 
And the ground parcheth — 

When clouds come at length 
Give o'er your work and gaze into the skies, 
Into the depths of My eternity — 

"Be still and know that I am God." 

When all things tret you, 

And you feel each jar 
Of household worry, 

81 



JMERIC^X DESCRIPTII'E 

And you know you are 
Restless, impatient — steal away from all, 
Count all things lost, if vou mav hear Mv 
catt- 

" Be still, and know that I am God." 

One day with me 

Ls as a thousand years, 
Cease, cease from man 

And all that causes fears: 
The drought will end, the war will have its 

day; 
Rest trustingly, is a child tired with play — 
"Be still, and know that I am God." 
dwhaj 
J* ; -v, igi8 

Cljanfcsgitjing 

iOUS Father of mankind, 
Bow we down before Thy Throne, 
Can it be that Peace has come? 

Hark! the bells, the bells! 

Sound of bells from far and wide, 

Over ill our country side; 
Has i: come? Will it abi 
Hark! the bells, the bells! 

leave your work and lift your eyes 
To the clear November >> 
Peace is cc 
Hark! the bells, the bells! 

Si 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Music sweet from everywhere 
Fills the still autumnal air; 
Thanks that Thou hast heard our prayer — 
Hark! the bells, the bells! 

Bells of gladness, bells of joy! 
Ringing home again your boy, 
Gladening thought without alloy — 
Hark! the joyous bells! 

Bells of sadness, bells of pain, 
For the lost come not again — 
Listen to the sad refrain 
Of the tolling bells! 

As the trembling tear-drops start, 
Bow we down with contrite heart 
Asking Thee strength to impart — 
Hark! the calling bells — 

For the task that greets the world 
When Love's banner is unfurled — 
Up! can we lie snugly curled 
Resting idly, while the world 

Faints from lack of food? 

November p, igi8 

{On hearing the bells greeting the report of 
Peace! at last, while sewing at the Meeting 
House for the "Friends' Reconstruction Unit") 

Houelmeste in Coubalegcence 

I see the shadows lengthening o'er the snow, 
Blue shadows on white snow; 
The voices of the children come and go, 
And I lie here. 

83 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

I see the sun a-dropping down the skies, 
Clear skies, bright skies; 
The voices of the children fall and rise, 
While I lie here. 

I see the snowdrifts melting on the lawn, 
Behind the woods I see the sun go down, 
The voices of the children are all gone, 
And I lie here. 

I see the birds their homeward journey wend; 

Oh, little friend 

Thy "even-song" — a benediction send, 
As I lie here. 

Awbury 
January, 1914 

3 &m t&e &e*urrectton anb tfje ILilt 

Oh, solemn joy! Oh, solemn joy! 
The passing of a soul to Paradise, 
The freeing of a soul imprisoned long 
By fetters of the flesh that held it down. 

Oh, Solemn Joy! 

Oh, Solemn Joy! 

Oh, Gracious God! Oh, Gracious God! 
To take at last Thy loved one Home, 
To break forevermore the prison-bars 
And let his spirit roam. 

Oh, Gracious God! 
Oh, Gracious God! 
Awbury 
March 27 > 191 4 

84 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

When he came home, at last — 
The little birds were singing, 
The Sabbath bells were ringing, 

When he came home, at last. 

When he came home at last — 
Our boy who left us long ago — 
His snowdrops spread like powdered snow, 

When he came home at last. 

When he came home at last, 
Although on earth we'd missed him, 
In Heaven his dear ones kissed him, 
When he came Home — at last! 

First Day Morning, J A. M. 
March 29 >, 191 4 

Ah, those Sabbath Evening Bells 

How their sweet refrain 
Brings the memory of past days 

To my heart again. 

Bring back sacred memories 

Of the dear old home — 
Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, 

Are they here — or gone? 

Gone they may be from the sight 
Of our vision clear — 



8? 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And their voices' cadence sweet 
No more greets the ear. 

But their spirits hover near 

With the ringing bells, 
Calling — calling from the past 

As the music swells — 

"Come and join us. Ah, come out 

To God's open air. 
Listen! Listen! As the wind 

Telleth we are there." 

And I listen — wrapt in joy — 

Of the happy past 
Till the music on the wind 
Dies away at last! 

Awbury 
November 75, 191 4 

©n ®unt S'a i^metp«tl)irb 
JStrtfjbap 

Crowned with thy silvery crown 
Of soft grey hair 

Thou sittest in placid ease 
While all thy loved ones 
Gather round thy chair 
Each wish to please. 

Above — thy loved ones gone before 
Look down and wait — 
With crown of gold— 

86 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

The gentle opening 
Of Heaven's portal gate 
Thy spirit to enfold. 

Awbury, 1915 

3to iKemoriam— 8. C. 

I travel toward thy home of many years, 

My brother, 
Feeling that thou art gone. 
A sense of loneliness brings back the tears, 
And yet a joyous thought stillest my fears, 
For thou so far away 
Art ever near, 
My brother! 

Thy life so dwarfed and cramped and sad, 

My brother! 
Has blossomed into fruit — 
For thoughts and feelings rare thou'st had 
Here half expressed — now published glad, 
Safe with thine own 
In heaven's home, 
My brother! 

January ', /p/5 

jfot <£,:& 3Birtf)bap 

I have no gold to give to-day 

To one I love so well, 
The cry comes o'er from far away 

Give of your alms, and sell. 

87 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

My little girl is growing old, 

God looketh down on her 
And sees the gold within her heart — 

Richer than rubies are. 

He turns the gold to kindly deeds 
For poor, and maimed and lost. 

Give it for Him in smiles or tears, 
And never count the cost. 

The more we give, the more He gives 

To help our brother man, 
E'en little words of kindly cheer 

Or service rich for far or near; 
Then help Him as we can. 

Awbury> 1916 

|9e 8re of iltore 'Falue ifjan 
jHaup g>parroto£" 

Thou little crying bird, 
Dost think thyself unheard 

In thy lament? 
Thy Father over all 
Who marks each sparrow's fall 
Is listening to thy call — 

Be thou content. 

Ye lilies of the field, 

The fragrance that ye yield 

Is on the air, 
Though hidden from our view 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Ye memories renew 
By sweetest ministry, although 
Ye toil nor spin not there. 

If then God care for these, 
And wafts upon His breeze 

Their sound and scent, 
Take thou no thought but He 
"Our Father" too will be, 
The future we ne'er see 

Be thou content. 

Today, today is given, 
Tomorrow all is hidden — 

Seek not for more 
Than strength to journey onward, 
And grace to guide thee forward, 
And Light to lead thee heavenward, 

From God's own store. 

September, 1919 

Wnamxtb ffltmmt& 

When the ivy taps on the moonlit pane 
Of the nursery windows, I dream again 
That the loved ones gone are around me still 
And the firelight flickers, and all is well. 

When the moonlight falls on my bed at night, 
And the room is flooded with shimmering 

light, 
It seems like the hand of a friend stretched 

out, 
Or some guardian spirit round about. 

89 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

And though alone, and the house so still, 

I feel no fear as I lie — until 

The moon goes down in the western sky, 

And rosy dawn bids the shadows fly. 
Awbury 
'November g> igig 

%%t Crfjo of tfce {EfjaufetfgtirittB 

mi* 

Oh, bells that seem to call from earth to 
heaven 
Ye bring our loved ones back with listening 
ear. 
And faint and sweet we hear the echo given, 
"Be of good cheer !" 

Thank God and courage take in all your 
losses, 

Amid the storm the end you cannot see, 
The way for him who bravely lifts his crosses 

Leads on to victory. 

And flowers strew the way for those that see 
them, 
And birds are caroling for each listening 
ear, 
And though the path be crooked, aye and 
stormy, 
Yet sun and shadow fleck the pathway 
o'er. 



90 




AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE. 

And there are little children by the wayside 
Who watch you eagerly with wondering 
eyes 
To see if you are noticing the flowers 

And listening to the bird that round you 
flies, 

Or stumbling on the stones with heavy foot- 
steps, , 
And falling 'neath your cross upon the road, 
Or looking up with eyes of grateful gladness 
Seeing the Light that leads you up to God! 
Germantown meeting 
November, ipip 

Uroppeb H>tttcf)e* 

(A message) 

Once more the door has opened into the 

"other room". 
One more has passed before me through the 

door, 
Once more a voice is calling — 
" My child, lay down thy work, — 
The Master cornes and calleth for thee 
there." 

And must I take her work up and try with 

trembling hands 
To knit for her the "raveled sleeve of care"? 
Dear Lord, I drop the stitches, 
I cannot see for tears, 
The threads seem tangled when that work 
I share. 



91 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

1 My child, thou hast thine own work, 
No other work is thine, 
Leave the dropt stitches safely to My care. 
To every child God gives his load to carry 

Home, 
Thou knowest not when 'tis done, nor how, 

nor where, 
But I will lift the burden that falleth from 

each child, 
My skillful hand the stitches dropt make 
fast; 
Keep on thy way courageous, 
Nor fail beneath thy load — 
Hands are stretched out to draw thee Home 
at last." 

Awbury 
January 6, 1920 



ftafleb! 

"Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee 
For those in peril on the sea." 



God bless my boy when tempted far to 

wander, 
Is his boat steered for port, or out, I wonder? 
Ah, soon, come soon! 

God bless my boy when balmy airs come 

stealing 
Across the sea, new beauty still revealing 
Under the moon. 



92 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

God bless my boy when storms sweep o'er the 

vessel, 
And white with foam the waves and whirl- 
wind wrestle — 
Safe in His hand. 

God bless my boy when tired with storm's 

commotion, 
He climbs aloft and gazes o'er the ocean 
And cries out — "Land!" 

God bless my boy when storms have ceased 

distressing, 
While breezes play about the prow caressing 
To waft him home. 

God bless my boy, when sunny skies are 

smiling 
And thoughts of home with loved ones, him 
beguiling, 
No more to roam! 

Con anient 
March, 1920 

Zoll no Jgeil for iHe 

(Lines suggested by the incessant tolling of a 
bell) recalling sad memories) 

When I am gone, toll not a bell for me 
Lest others, hearing it, should saddened be— 
For memories cling like leeches to the mind— 
The earth is full of graves — it were not kind 
To summon up remembrance of sad days. 



q-J 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

But rather think of me as one who did 
Her best with life, and sought in life to live 
Her nature out — as God's own legacy — 
Feeling her limitations — now set free: 
Then smile for joy, and toll no bell for me. 
Conanicut Island 
March, 1920 



©reamg atrti Jfamies 

The ivy round the casement casts its shadow 
As the moonlight steals across the nursery 
floor, 
While I listen to the wind among the tree 
tops, 
And my loved ones come to visit me once 
more. 

For their spirits haunt the nursery in the 
moonlight, 
And their memories come floating on the 
wind, 
As I listen for the flicker of the firelight 
With the thought of being no more left 
behind. 

For they love their old haunts in the home- 
stead, 
And the veil that falls between is very thin, 
They have left the door ajar as each one 
entered, 
I can see their faces faint, and very dim 



94 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

I can see their forms that linger on the thresh- 
old, 
They are thinking of their happy child- 
hood's days; 
All the fun and laughter of the old times, 
All the books and games and talk and 
blame and praise; — 

So I linger in the nursery in the moonlight, 

As the ivy taps upon the window pane, 
While I listen to the wind among the tree 
tops, 
And my loved ones come to visit me again. 
Awbury 
March, 1921 



Co <&ut <&lb Collie, "lata" 

Old faithful friend, whose love exceeds 
The love of others I have known, 
I sorrow o'er you now your life is low; 
Teach me your trusting faithfulness before 

you go — 
Farewell, old friend, I grieve it must be so. 

Farewell, old friend, I grieve to let you go, 
And wish that I might follow, but I needs 

must stay. 
Though those I loved in youth have passed 

away 
Your silent sympathy has cheered me many 

a day — 

95 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Farewell! and may you find some garden all 

aglow 
Where you may meet with us, who loved you 
so. 

Awbury 
March /p, 192 1 



Old faithful feeble dog, 
Thou knowest the way I go 
Although thou seest not, 
And oftentimes wouldst follow, 
Though with painful step and slow, 
Like thy old comrade of thy youth 
Following his master in the dark, 
Whilst thou leapt round them 
With thy joyous bark. 

Must thou too go before me? 

Then would I follow on — 

The comrades of my youth — 

They all are gone. 

'Tis hard to keep the pace of youth, 

Tis hard to see the face of truth — 

And though I fain would follow 

My Master in the dark 

And drown in work my sorrow, — 

Up with the mounting lark — 

I, too, feel spent and blind, 

Then leave me not behind! 

Awbury 
April if, 1921 

96 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

& tribute 

Thou grateful dog! 

Thy gratitude brings tears into my eyes! 

Dying, thou stretchest out thy paw to meet 

our clasp, 
And when we draw a-near 
The pat-pat of thy tail upon the ground, we 
hear, 
So mindful art thou of our love, 
Since puppyhood, — 
Thy spirit rising o'er old age infirmities. 
Thanks for the noble lesson thou hast taught, 

And teachest daily; 
Though my life with weariness and care be 

wrought, 
Courage I'll take — life's battle fought — 
Remembering thee. 

Awbury 
April /S 9 1921 

Sit iWemonam— to g>tott 

{Written by John S. Cope) 

That little mound beside the Judas tree 
Near where the pathway toward the garden 
bends, 

Where violets thick and ivy shoots run wild, 
There lies old Scott, the truest of my friends. 

There will the red-bird whistle to the dawn, 
There will the woodthrush sing his evening 
song, 



97 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

There through the August nights will crickets 
trill, 
They will not wake him, for his sleep is long. 

There will the first light of the rising moon 
Fall like a benediction on the place, 

And fireflies dance, and glowworms light their 
lamps 
Above old Scott, the gentlest of his race. 

The plaintive dove that haunts the hemlocks 
near 
Will chant all day his mournful requiem, 
And through November nights the falling 
leaves 
Will spread their mantle o'er to cover him. 

O faithful friend through many changeful 
years, 

Who understood my every word and tone, 
Your honest eyes forever now are closed, 

And I am left heart-broken and alone. 

For we grow old together, dog and man, 
Our youthful tramps and frolics long were 
o'er, 

Old age came creeping on us stealthily, 
And you were called a little while before. 

How graciously when I returned at night 
You ran to welcome me with joyous bark, 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

How patiently with feeble steps and slow 
You traced my path and found me in the 
dark. 

When weary with the duties of the day 
At twilight hour I lay me down to rest, 

You felt me o'er to know that all was well, 
Then crouched beside me and your vigil 
kept. 

Nor man, nor dog may ever fill his place 

Who showed such loyalty and faith in me, 
Then do not blame me if I fain would rest 
With thee, old friend, beneath the Judas 
tree. 

Awbury. August j, igog 

The morning that Scott was buried, Klim 
came dashing up the stairs, barking, to ?ny 
room, pulled at my skirts, and showed me 
the place where his master, he, and I, stood 
as real mourners while Scott was laid away. 

Scott and Klim lie side by side — their master 
died in December, igi5* 

M. C. 
Awbury, 
September, ig22 

3n ffltmotiam— to Jf . C II- 

My courteous cousin! 
Cultured, humorous, mild, 
Thy memory I cherish 



99 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

As I sit here 'midst thy flowers, 

In thy cool garden's shade 

Where clematis and creeper weave their 

bowers 
And birds sing on in dark or sunny hours. 
Surely thou lovest it yet 
And we who linger on 
Enjoy thy work of years 
Though thou art gone. 

Awbury 
May, 1922 

Wo a jFtitvto in &xtat g>orroto 

Hope on! Nor fail in faith 

Though sorrow claspeth thee with both her 

hands, 
Though the sun hide behind a cloud, 
And mystery and doubt thy pathway shroud — 
The sun still sheds its light 
Its lining still is bright, 
Is darkness at its height? 
The dawn is near — 
Live on, nor fail in faith. 

Awbury 
June y 1922 

a CijittT* &anb 

Dear little clinging hand 
Trustingly nestled in mine, 
Soft and dimpled and warm, 
Throbbing with life divine! 

100 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

In palace or mansion or hut, 
Over the whole wide land, — 
Search as you will — 
Tis the sweetest still — 
The touch of a little child's hand. 
Awbury 
November, 191 5 

Both little hands in mine, 

My precious, my sweetheart, my lamb, 

Lying so cozily by me, 

Sheltered so safely from harm — 

Both little hands in mine. 

Eyes fringed with lashes so brown, 
My dearie, my darling, my dove, 
Opening a moment to see me — 
Closing with satisfied love — 
Eyes fringed with lashes so brown. 

Cheeks like the flush of the dawn, 
My rosebud, my blossom, my pet — 
Little lips murmuring in song 
Ernesta, the sweetest child yet — 
Sleeping — my blossom — my pet. 

November , 191 5 

%%t Hogt ILamb 

Oh, where has my wee lamb gone? 
Oh, where has my little one gone? 
Twas not long ago she was here at play, 

101 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Has she strayed away? 
Has she strayed away? 
Oh, where has my little one gone? 

Her hat is lying there on the grass, 

Her playthings left on the floor; 

Say, have you heard her, or seen her pass 

Out at the open door? 
Oh, where is my little one gone? 

Tell me, neighbors, did she pass by? 
Oh, where is my pretty one gone? 
A tiny child with soft blue eye 

And flaxen hair — 

Yes, eyes like the sky — 
See! there is a bit of her dress on the thorn! 
Oh, where is my pretty one gone? 

For the river is swift and the river is strong. 

Oh, where has my lost lamb gone? 

And she loved to hear the sound of its song — 

Here is the dolly she loved so long! 
Oh, where is my little one gone? 



Ah ! There she is lying fast asleep 
Close by the river's brink, 

Her hair unbound — 

Sleeping so sound 
And the blackberries' stain on her lips- 
Darling, darling, where have you been? 

102 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Mother was worried — just think! 
She opened her blue eyes languidly — 
" Mudder y I wanted a drink" 

Awbury 
August, 1922 



Ye winds, what would ye speak, 
That play at hide and seek 

Among my hair? 
Are you afraid to tell 
To one who loves you well 

Your secret rare? 

You tempt me to come out, 
And then with noisy rout 

You frisk and play. 
Then as I feel you near, 
And lean toward you to hear, 

You die away. 

Speak, speak, you roguish wind! 
Have you not found me kind, 

A playmate gay? 
I feel you touch my brow — 
Come tell it to me now, 

Turn not away! 

Awbury ', 1917 



103 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

ftqntt 

Oh, Sleep, that with thy gentle hand 

Soothest my brow, 
I give thee welcome glad, 

Waiting thee now. 

Oh, moon, that with thy silver beams, 

Floodest the night, 
Give my heart happy dreams, 

Joyous and bright. 

Oh, God, who givest the weary rest 

After day's care, 
Lift up our hearts to Thee 
In grateful prayer. 

Awbury 
December, ip/j 

©reamlanb 

{Falling asleep after listening to the voice of 
Alma Gluck in the Barcarolle) 

Lightly the dew of slumber falls 

On weary heart and brain, 
A dreamy song my heart enthralls 

Like sound of quiet rain, 
And all the troubles slip away, 

And all the joys remain. 

On eagle's wings my spirit soars 

Over the dusky plain, 
Like some sweet voice from heaven's doors 

104 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Rising in sweet refrain — 
Soaring and echoing high in air — 
Then sinking down again. 

Ah, when it comes my time to die, 

And I at last would fain 
Slip from this world without a sigh, 

Give me that heaven to gain 
Where all the troubles fall away 
And only joys remain. 

Awbury 
July 20, igi6 



£ije pealing $otoer of fflu&it 

(On hearing the voice of Alma Gluck in 
Gounod's "Ave Maria") 

Depressed I was beyond the power of laughter, 
My spirit numbed with loss 
And drunk with gloom. 
Words seemed to bruise and silence chill, and 
after 
But death in life — my doom — 
When! Sweet strong voice that soared from 

earth to heaven 
It seemed to bear me up on joyous wings, 
Like to some power unto an angel given 

In heavenly ministering! 
And all the jar and strain of earth's commo- 
tion, 
And all the weariness and loss and pain 

105 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Fell from me like a shroud, as heaven regain- 
ing, 
My soul was free again! 

Red Gate 
May 6 y 1920 



TOje ILwVS draper 

Our Father, which in heaven art, 

Hallowed be Thy name, 
Thy Kingdom come, 
Thy will be done, 

On earth as heaven the same; 
Give us this day our daily bread, 

Forgive our debts to Thee, 
As we to those who owe us much 

Do give forgiveness free. 
Let us not in temptation stray 

But walk with Thee beside, 
The evil lurking by the way 

Can ne'er Thy power abide; 
For Thine the Kingdom, 
Thine the power, 

And glory over all 
Forever and forever more: 

Oh, Lord, hear Thou our call. 

Highland Pines 
January , 1916 

106 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

"JSe&otti, &tib 3te in SG&te $iate, 
aub 3 ifcteto 3i J&ot" 

Thou Great Unseen! We see Thee every- 
where! 

In storm and sunshine, 

Rain and wind, and calm: 
In snowy woods and dells and stubble fields 
With every twig in robe of ermine clad — 
A fairy world so fair, making us glad — 

We see Thee there. 

Where the dark cedars lift their spires to 
heaven 
'Mid tawny slopes of grass 
Where crows flap overhead; 
And snowy hedgerows toss their feathery 
plumes 
Beside the road, 
And last leaves of the russet oak, 
Filled to the brim with snowflakes, 
Down beside the brook, 
Make pictures fair 
For those who will but look, 
We see Thee there. 

Thou Great Unseen, we see Thee everywhere: 

Where snowdrops pure 
Pierce through the melting snow 

Hearing Thy call: 
Where the sweet sap riseth beneath the bark 

And little leaves 

From sheltering sheaths 

107 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Stretch out their tiny hands 

To feel Thy sunshine's warmth — 

We see Thee there. 
Where starry crocus gilds the emerald sod, 
Where springing wheat pierceth the yielding 

clod, 
Where little birds lift up their hearts to God, 

We see Thee there. 






Thou Great Unseen, we see Thee everywhere 

Beside our paths; 
Where fragrant roses cluster on the lawn, 
And lilies lift their heads, and fox gloves tall, 
And poppies ope their petals to the dawn, 

In gardens fair 

That we have known, 
We see Thee there: 
Where'er Thy dew and rain 
Fresheneth the parched ground, 

Where lightnings flash 

And thunders crash 

In pealing sound, 
And rainbows build their bridges in the air 

In colors rare, 
We see Thee there. 

Thou Great Unseen, we see Thee everywhere 

Throughout the year: 
Where ripening grain repays the laborer's 
toil 

'Ere the year drops, 
And Autumn sun falls on the fertile soil, 

1 08 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Yielding its crops; 
Where apples ripen in the frosty night, 
And leaves all red and yellow flutter down, 
And summer birds are calling in their flight. 
And russet fields are turning sere and brown, 
With dark days shorter grown, 
We have no fear, 
We know Thee near. 

Early morning journey 
to Conanicut 
January 21 ", 1915 



Stxto tije ^TaSt Unimoton 

Launch, launch thy boat of Faith, 

Thy Faith brings its reward, 
Though stormy skies look dark and cold, 

Thy Pilot is on board. 

Launch, launch thy boat of Faith, 
Though winds are whistling shrill; 

Thy Saviour, sleeping in the stern, 
Shall speak the — "Peace — be still! '* 

The stormy waves will stop, 

The loud winds cease to moan, 
The anchor chain will safely drop 
At last! At last! At Home. 

Conanicut 
January io> 191 5 



109 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 



4 'Cast Ww Preab Wlpon tije 



" Cast thy bread upon the waters, 

For it shall return to thee 
After many days of waiting, 

Tis God's promise, full and free. 

Cast thy bread upon the waters, 

Go forth valiantly and bold, 
Speak the word that thou believest, 

Nor God's messages withhold. 

Speak the word that thou believest, 

There are scoffers by the way, 
They will see thy faith and courage 

And will turn to God to pray. 

In these war-like times around us 
Speak the words " Good Will and Peace "- 

There will many pause to listen, 
And God's kingdom will increase. 

Cast thy bread upon the waters, 

Say each day "Thy kingdom come"; 
After many days of waiting, 
It must be, His will is done. 

Conanicut 
Winter •, /p/5 



no 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

W&t ^arbest 

He that goeth forth with weeping, 

Bearing precious seed, 
Shall return again rejoicing 

With the garnered sheaves. 
Sow your seed beside all waters 

As you go about, 
It may grow and bloom and flourish 

When has passed the drought. 

Is your seed some word of kindness 

To the. friends you meet? 
Is your seed a smile of brightness 

As you walk the street? 
Let it fall where'er you wander 

To the hall or hut, 
'Mongst the toilers, 'mongst the lonely, 

Those from pleasure shut. 

Is your seed the gold you treasure 

For some pleasure rare? 
Is your seed some great endeavor, 

Castles in the air? 
Fling it from you, share your pleasure 

With the poor, and lost, 
Help the world to run more smoothly, 

Counting not the cost. 

Is your seed some "talent, hidden", 

In a napkin laid? 
Useless still, because unbidden! 

Of the world afraid? 

in 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

Trust the Giver of all talents, 

Take it out for Him, 
He will give you strength to use it 

Though your eyes be dim. 

He that goeth forth with weeping, 

Bearing precious seed, 
Shall return again rejoicing, 

Bearing home the sheaves: 
To each one God gives some seed 

From His lavish store: 
When you feel your hands are empty 

Hold them up for more. 

Awbury 
Winter •, /gij 

"®J)e (©reateat of Wfftxt M 
CJmrttp" 

(Lines suggested by Burne-Jones' picture of 
"Hope'\ Abbott Thayer s " Charity " and Jules 
Breton s "Reapers") 

Ah, Faith, chase thou dim Doubt 

Into the darkness drear 
Till he has vanished quite; 

Then draw thou near. 

Ah, Hope, lift up thy gentle head 

From dark despair! 
And face the morning star 'neath clouds so 
red — 

The dawn is there. 

112 






AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Ah, Love, stretch out thy pitying arms 

Around the poor, 
The downcast, desolate, misunderstood, 

Flock to thy door. 

Faith, Hope and Love, the greatest last, 

These three 
Come, and with arms outstretched o'er both 

Walks Chanty. 

January 24, 19/5 

"®ijou ©Hilt &eep ^tm in perfect 

$eace liijoge Mint* 3fe S>taj>eb 

on ®bee" 

In perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
Thee, 

Lord, Thou dost keep; 
Rest from all fretting care about the morrow 

Even in sleep. 

In perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on 
Thee, 

So would we live, 
Letting each day sufficing for its sorrow 

Trust's lessons give. 

In perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
Thee, 

Day after day, 
Letting no evil from the future borrow 

Now and alway. 

"3 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 



In perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
Thee, 
Looking above, 
Seeing through tears which seem to dim our 
morrow 
The rainbow of Thy love. 

In perfect peace whose mind is stayed on 
Thee, 
The clouds will roll away; 
Glad in Thy sunshine, after days of sorrow, 
Behold "Thy perfect day". 

Winter, zp/6 

"$eace— Pe g>tiU" 

Oh, death, that stillest life! 

For those who mourn, 
Thou checkest the fevered pulse 

And restless will; 
And breathing calm within that holy hush 

Sayest "Peace — be still". 

Oh, calm, that settlest down 

After our tears, — 
Oh, peace, that dwells at last 

Within our breast, 
We bow in silence to your stilling might, 

And there find rest. 

Oh, sorrow, bitter-sweet, 
When words are vain, 
We love thy stillness — 

114 



AND THOUGHTFUL VERSE 

Catching the refrain 
Of lisping waves upon the gentle sea 
Of Heaven's far-away 
Eternity! 

Awbury 
Spring, ip/6 

& draper for ©lb &ge 

Lord, when- our eyes grow dim, 
Give us Thy eyes, that we may clearly see 
Things hid from sight in this world's dust and 
din, 
Lord, may we see through Thee. 

Lord, when our hands lack strength, 

Give us some thoughts of Thine within our 

breast, 
That we may say with folded hands at 

length, 
Thy will is best. 

Lord, when our hearing fails, in part 
Shut from the tiring noise, 
May we the better hear within our heart 
Thy "still small voice". 

And when our footsteps fail, 

Stretch out Thy hand to reach ours clasped 

in Thine, 
Saying in faith that will avail, 
Thy way — not mine. 

Awbury 
Winter ", fp/6. 

"5 



AMERICAN DESCRIPTIVE 

"gnb toitf) J|o HUnguage but 
a Crp" 

(F<w7A in the Unknown) 

Untrammeled by tradition, 

. We look up to the skies; 

We know our hearts are burning, 

We feel our spirits yearning 
For that which never dies, 
To the unknown it cries — 

Untrammeled by tradition 
We look up to the skies. 

We know not what may follow 

The spirit's resting here, 
Yet had we found life hollow, 
May not the days that follow, 
Be full of light and cheer 
With those we held most dear? 
Untrammeled by tradition, 
We face it without fear. 

"Barberry Hilly' Vermont 
Sunday A.M. 
August 23, 1922 



116 



